Page 77 of On One Condition

I don’t even know what to say. It’s definitely a concern of many businesses around town. “Maybe it’ll do the opposite. Maybe it’ll be the only affordable place in town to hold events if The Retreat is too expensive.”

“Maybe.” He doesn’t sound too sure.

I pat him on the shoulder. “Let’s hope so.”

He nods as we round the corner, and when I look up, my feet falter. “George.” His name is a gasp as I take in the barn.

“She looks good, doesn’t she?”

I look from the barn, to him, then back. The weathered wood of its exterior looks brand new. He’s kept its patina charm but has not stained it to look like it was just built yesterday. “You guys did all this?”

“Yep. We power-washed it down then sprayed on a treatment to protect it from bugs trying to find a new home.” Pride shines in his eyes.

“In two days. You did this?”

He nods, his grin widening. “The fields are behaving themselves, so we’ve had some time. It looks good, huh?”

“Wow.” I take a few steps closer, shocked how such a simple thing has virtually given the ranch a facelift.

“You’re happy with it?”

“Happy doesn’t begin to describe it.”

“Okay. I wanted to make sure you were good with it before we started on the inside.”

“By all means, George.” I shake my head, unable to take my eyes off it.

“That’s it, then. See? I told you it was good news.”

“Very good news. I mean . . . thank you.” I’m honestly in awe.

“What are you planning on doing with this, anyway?”

“Making this a destination, George.”

“A destination?”

I nod. “I’m still figuring that out, but I want other people to enjoy this place. To find happiness here. To make memories here.”

But when I turn back toward the house again, my smile is so wide my cheeks hurt.

For the first time, I really think I might be able to pull this off.

What do you think, Pop?

I hope it makes him proud too.

* * *

A sample business proposal I found on the Internet is beside my laptop. It feels confusing and impossible with its mission statement and graphics and pricing structures. Now it’s up to me to translate all of that where my cursor blinks on the blank screen in front of me.

I have to start somewhere, right?

A knock on the door startles me.

“One sec, Geor . . .” But my words fall off when I look up and find Ledger standing in the doorway.

Seeing him is like a sucker punch to the gut and a jump-start to my libido.